Entries in Deb Fischer
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Douglas Graham/Roll Call(WASHINGTON) -- Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer says now that Congress is ready to focus on the nation's deficit, it's time for serious action on the issue of government spending. In this week's Republican address, Fischer says she agrees with her constituents across Nebraska who are consistent in their message: "Washington must cut out-of-control spending."

Americans are "frustrated with the lack of progress from their elected leaders," who haven't reined in spending, but rather have "added $4 billion each day to our gross national debt," she says. A limited government, which Fischer supports, would focus on "fulfilling its core duties and responsibilities" to "identify the national priorities worthy of taxpayer funding."

The Constitution, Fischer notes, says Congress' top priority is to "provide for the common defense." But, she warns, the government is preparing to make deep cuts to national security funding -- "all because some leaders in Washington can't get their priorities straight." A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Fischer says she is "100 percent committed to both reducing spending and meeting my constitutional obligation to defend this nation."

"It's equally important to uphold America's promises to active city service members and veterans, those who have risked life-and-limb in defense of our nation," she says in the address.

The primary drivers of the country's debt, Sen. Fischer asserts, are programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. While there's little consensus in Washington on how to do so, the senator insists these programs must be reformed in a way that "keeps our promises" to seniors, retirees and those nearing retirement. But, she adds, "such reforms will require political courage and will demand strong leadership from the president and leaders of Congress."

"It's time for serious action. No more kicking the can down the road. No more using the threat of middle class tax hikes to force last minute deal-making. The debate over taxes is done. Tax increases barely pay for a few days of government spending, and in all my years of public service, I have never had constituents ask me to raise their taxes. The problem is not the American people are taxed too little; it's that the federal government spends too much," Fischer says.

Douglas Graham/Roll Call(WASHINGTON) -- Mitt Romney picked up two more states on Tuesday, winning the presidential primaries in both Oregon and Nebraska. But the main focus that evening was on Nebraska's Republican senate primary.

State Sen. Deb Fischer made a come from behind win to beat Attorney General John Bruning for a chance to occupy the senate seat being vacated this fall by Nebraska's Ben Nelson.

Fischer, 61, was considered to be an underdog in the Republican’s senate primary battle. Bruning, 43, was seen as the frontrunner -- he had higher name recognition than Fischer and his campaign far outpaced hers in terms of fundraising.

Fischer’s candidacy didn’t take off until late in the game, and for most of the primary season Bruning focused his attacks on Don Stenberg, who initially appeared to be his biggest challenger. The attacks lodged by Bruning and Stenberg likely ended up helping Fischer.

Texas Sen. Jon Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, released a statement congratulating Fischer on her victory.

“I congratulate Deb Fischer on winning the Nebraska Republican Senate Primary, and look forward to her election in November. The difference in this race couldn’t be more clear. Deb is a small business rancher, mother and conservative leader who believes we need to spend less, balance our budget and repeal ObamaCare, while her opponent supports bigger government and higher taxes” Cornyn said. “It’s time to restore fiscal sanity and enact pro-jobs policies in Washington and we can do that with Deb Fischer as the next U.S. Senator from Nebraska.”

Fischer will run against Bob Kerrey in the fall. The former governor and senator of the Cornhusker state officially won his party’s nomination on Tuesday, though he had been considered the likely nominee since he entered the race. Nelson, the state’s Democratic senator, announced he would not seek re-election in December 2011.﻿